Calobota cytisoides

The branched Calobota cytisoides, previously Lebeckia cytisoides, is a multi-stemmed shrub reaching heights around 2 m, sometimes considered a small tree.

The angular back end of the Calobota cytisoides calyx is attached to the pedicel in its lower corner. Brown here and hairless, its lobed margin appears cut like clown attire, the colours fitting as well.

The halves of the erect banner petal on open flowers, folded down the centre, meet like triangular sails of a boat prepared for moving in the wind. The wings shield the keel that points forward between them closely.

The species distribution is in the Western Cape and Northern Cape. The habitat is karoid scrub, renosterveld and fynbos. The species is not considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century.

C. cytisoides differs from C. sericea in its hairless calyces and pods (Manning, 2007; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).